Why do dogs gently bite their owners?

Dogs may gently bite their owners to assert dominance or to attract attention and invite their owners to play with them. Additionally, if the owner is petting the dog too roughly, causing the dog discomfort, it might gently bite the owner to express its dissatisfaction. Also, during the teething period, dogs will gently bite their owners due to itchy teeth, treating the owner's hand as a chew toy.

Asserting dominance

Dogs have a strong sense of possession, so they might gently bite their owners to leave their scent on them, marking their territory. Apart from gentle bites, dogs might also rub against or lick their owners.

Wanting the owner to play

If the owner hasn't played with the dog in a long time and the dog becomes bored, it might gently bite the owner to attract attention and invite the owner to play. In this case, the owner can set aside what they're doing and interact with the dog. It's also a good idea to prepare more toys for the dog to play with.

Expressing dissatisfaction

Some dogs have a strong temper. If the owner pets them too hard, causing discomfort, the dog might gently bite the owner to ask them to let go.

Teething

Normally, dogs begin to teethe at around 3-7 months old. During this process, their gums may itch, so they like to chew on things to relieve the discomfort. Coincidentally, their owner's soft hands feel comfortable to bite, so dogs tend to gently bite their owners' hands. To address this, owners can provide their dogs with chew toys or treats to help them through the teething process.